| Author | Message | ||
| hojji firemaker (Hojjifiremaker)
Registered Member Username: Hojjifiremaker Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.32  Rating: N/A |
I have recently installed my Thetford RV Toilet. My 3" drain pipe is steeply sloping with no sharp turns. However, my line keeps clogging. It is rather disgusting to say the least. UNclogging it is not something I would like to continue doing... The factor you should know, is I am using standard residential toilet paper. Is RV toilet paper significantly better, or should I not flush toilet paper down the toilet at all? Thanks for your input. | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 177 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 99.206.236.179 Rating: N/A |
My guess is that RV paper is household paper with a different price! I have been advised here that any paper labled septic tank safe is fine for an RV. I use household septic safe paper very freely with no problems. You say your pipe is steeply sloping. Could you give us a better discription, length, PVC pipe, turns ect? | ||
| Wec4104 (Wec4104)
Registered Member Username: Wec4104 Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2008 Posted From: 68.46.66.57 Rating: N/A |
I would not expect a steep 3" pipe to clog, so that leads me to question other factors. First off, how is the water pressure and flow? If the water flow rate and duration is sufficient anything in the pipe should make it all the way to the tank. I don't care if you wipe yourself with steel wool, if there is enough water and slope, it shouldn't clog the pipe. | ||
| Tony LEE (T_lee)
Registered Member Username: T_lee Post Number: 41 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 124.180.15.236 Rating: N/A |
If you are using large quantities of supersoft 10ply paper, you may be able to get 1 or 2 ply paper at the store and try that to see whether the clogging is reduced. Is it just one passenger that is causing the problem? My daughter went through a phase where she used half a roll each time RV paper is a scam. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 591 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.35.55 Rating: |
Hojji, if the slope is to steep the water flows away from the solids leaving it in the pipe and a RV type toilet uses about a quart of water or less each flush this is why most are installed over the tank with no piping good luck (Message edited by luvrbus on November 26, 2008) (Message edited by luvrbus on November 26, 2008) | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 681 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.230.99.210  Rating: N/A |
Use wax paper. The pipe's seams are going in the right direction, right? Like, no ridges inside the pipe that may catching the TP? How about a quick spray of WD-40 on the butt prior to making a deposit? Lotsa' luck. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 386 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.210.134.122 Rating: N/A |
Might try a "snake"...could be a wrench, cloth, or whatever you left in the line....not uncommon , I am sure.   Doesn't make much sense IF the drop from the commode is direct to the tank. Should the Thetford have a trap, could be something in the line. FWIW RCB | ||
| Don Evans (Doninwa)
Registered Member Username: Doninwa Post Number: 162 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 208.81.157.90 Rating: N/A |
Some liquid soap diluted enough to go through a spray bottle helps stuff slip and slide real well. Helps keep stuff from sticking to the bowl, helps the seal and helps with odor control. Just a quick shot before use. Standard equipment in our bus and boat. Don 4107 | ||
| Ednj (Ednj)
Registered Member Username: Ednj Post Number: 209 Registered: 3-2003 Posted From: 67.85.237.82  Rating: N/A |
1/2" vent ? | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1239 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9 Rating: N/A |
Too much slope. That is why home systems have about 1/4 inch drop to the foot. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 563 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.82.162.15 Rating: N/A |
Too much slope. That is why home systems have about 1/4 inch drop to the foot. John has it right , the slope needs to be low enough so the water stays with the solids. That's why most RV simply drop straight down , no chance of getting it wrong. FF | ||
| J.C.B. (Eagle)
Registered Member Username: Eagle Post Number: 148 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 32.179.9.29 Rating: N/A |
A simple test for tissue paper is tear off a couple sheets and place in a small jar (pint) fill about half full with water and put lid on and gently shake the jar. If paper dissolves it is fine to use in RV. | ||
| hojji firemaker (Hojjifiremaker)
Registered Member Username: Hojjifiremaker Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.37 Rating: N/A |
I have a couple ideas to work with now... Thank you all. I'll try the WD-40 first. | ||
| Tony LEE (T_lee)
Registered Member Username: T_lee Post Number: 42 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 58.165.190.155 Rating: N/A |
"A simple test for tissue paper is tear off a couple sheets and place in a small jar (pint) fill about half full with water and put lid on and gently shake the jar. If paper dissolves it is fine to use in RV." A test invented by those who sell RV paper. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1240 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9 Rating: N/A |
You know, maybe the corncobs are getting twisted and blocking the paper. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 684 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.230.106.67 Rating: N/A |
Hojji - Re: "I have a couple ideas to work with now... Thank you all. I'll try the WD-40 first." Use that little red tube thingy that comes with the can, for accuracy. You don't want to make your butt too slippery prior to sitting. Stability is very important to get the job done right; Stability and aim. Remember, most accidents happen in the bathroom! | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 630 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 76.91.197.153 Rating: N/A |
John, Isn't it actually "We aim to please, you aim too please? Sorry, G | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1399 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.66.17.239 Rating: N/A |
Wec4104, where do I get this steel wool that you speak of? Toilet paper has grown rather boring.... happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 686 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.230.106.67 Rating: N/A |
"Toilet paper has grown rather boring.... " MY GAWD, just how long are those Canadian winters? Oh, btw, BW... Can't you copy your snow bus pix from the MAK site and use it here? | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Registered Member Username: Niles500 Post Number: 883 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 71.180.124.221 Rating: N/A |
If your finger goes through the TP while your using it ..... it is RV paper | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 566 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 69.19.14.23 Rating: N/A |
"Thank you all. I'll try the WD-40 first." A Spray of PAM is the usual bowl lube and no stick. FF | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1242 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9 Rating: N/A |
how about anti-seize? | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 351 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.230.210 Rating: N/A |
chessie???? NO ANTI-SEIZE!!!! John???? Winters up there are as long as summers are in FLORIDA That is LLOOOOONNNGGG. That is why they have a run in the summer of children HUMMMM. FF Never tried pam just wd-49 and PB- blaster. that will get er done | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 567 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.82.162.18 Rating: N/A |
PAM is the greatest for not allowing "Skid Marks "to stick on the bowl . Don't know how you would spray a long 3 inch pipe tho. FF | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 784 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 208.54.200.246 Rating: N/A |
RV paper is super thin. We learned to buy the cheapest household stuff which is almost exactly the same as the expensive RV stuff. Less paper less clogging. My toilet drain is from one side of the bus to the other, probably 4", with minimal slope. (Don't ask!!) I've never had a clog. I always make sure to use plenty of flush water. Some of the other posts are saying the same thing. | ||
| Moe Hollow (Moehollow)
Registered Member Username: Moehollow Post Number: 77 Registered: 12-2007 Posted From: 71.102.20.26 Rating: N/A |
At one time in a former coach we had some problem with clogging while dumping. We switch to a single ply paper which solved it. Maybe it was Scott or something like that. Even though this may help, you might have a different problem if it is slope related. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 689 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 72.146.79.42 Rating: N/A |
Hey Hojji.... Try adding more fat and oily foods to your diet, and maybe some food stuff that's heavy and stays undigested, like corn... The deposits are just lacking weight and lubrication, I'll bet.  From Here: http://www.answers.com/topic/constipation "Sometimes in life, you simply need a bigger stool" (author wishes to remain anonymous) | ||
| Moe Hollow (Moehollow)
Registered Member Username: Moehollow Post Number: 79 Registered: 12-2007 Posted From: 71.102.20.26 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for that post John. I will print copies for everyone I know so we will have something to talk about at dinner. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 690 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 72.146.79.42 Rating: |
I have a better copy, suitable for framing, Moe.... $6.75 If you're interested. (this is so exciting!) (I've been a shitty friend, to soooo many people!) Hey Hojji.... How're them turds droppin' ? | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1243 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9 Rating: N/A |
Scott tissue is good to use.Thin, relatively soft,dissolves quickly and inexpensive. A good value. 1000 sheets to the roll. Charmin= three sheets to a roll and super expensive and can easily cause clogs in rv systems. | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 637 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 76.91.197.153 Rating: N/A |
Now that I have stopped laughing, and while I am laying on the floor waiting for the hurting to stop, Faster Fred has the solution, you don't flush it, you BURN it! John R, What about breakthrough? (John MC9 put me up to it.) Sorry | ||
| hojji firemaker (Hojjifiremaker)
Registered Member Username: Hojjifiremaker Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.32 Rating: N/A |
I am glad you guys are having so much fun with this post. Ok, here's the deal... I figured out what the problem was and corrected it. Paper was only part of the problem. Since I recently converted my coach, I was using a NEW Thetford 35 gal portable septic tank, to buy me time before installing a permanent black water tank. Well their design sucks... instead of common sense, which would have a hook up inlet in the top of the tank, and an exit port at the bottom, it has only one (with flexline), that looks like it is loading from the top in the picture on the box, but actually feeds into the middle of the bottom of the tank. This makes it possible to load and dump out of the same hose, except it doesn't work well for either. So I used this thanksgiving weekend to install my new permanent septic tank, and bought a flo-jet turd grinder to pump it to my residential septic pipe about 70' away (level). Thanks for the turd identification chart. I was able to do a comparison of the crap that ended up all over me while repairing the problem. PROBLEM SOLVED! | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 353 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.230.210 Rating: N/A |
I love it when a plan comes together, don't you? Gomer | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 692 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 68.18.13.183 Rating: N/A |
"a flo-jet turd grinder " Now, there's a high-tech item if we ever heard one! (Ehhh, George?) "a flo-jet turd grinder". WOW. Why didn't I think of that one? Here, for years, I've been mashing it up with a table spoon.... Anyway, Hojji, I'm glad you finally got to "the bottom" of that problem. It sure sounds like you've had your "hands full"! But ya'know... We all had great confidence with your expertise. I just knew, that you'd be number one, with that number two problem. Seriously.... Great to hear you fixed it, and thanks for the update. Too many times, guys ask for help, and never tell us the final outcome. One never knows, when the same type problem may attack us personally. And thanks to I@n, this will be archived 'till eternity (or as long as any profile picture) (give or take an hour). Good job, Hojji! | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 346 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 12.21.254.2 Rating: N/A |
And we're glad to hear that you didn't waste all of that down time on the Thanksgiving Holiday. I'll bet your wife didn't even want your help in the kitchen!!! Sounds like a win-win! | ||
| hojji firemaker (Hojjifiremaker)
Registered Member Username: Hojjifiremaker Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.34 Rating: N/A |
Actually, funny that you said that, I did get off the hook! |
